GRACHEV SENT “PACKING” … OKAY, WHALING 

Evgeny Grachev has been sent back to the Connecticut Whale today by the New York Rangers.

It’s logical considering the fact that the Rangers are finally getting healthy. Ryan Callahan is certain to play as is Dan Girardi. What it also means is that Brandon Dubinsky is likely to be in the lineup tonight as well.

The status of Michael Del Zotto is still unclear. The fact that he’s still there must mean that the tweak that Steve Eminger had before the all-star break might still be bothering him. It makes no sense whatsoever to have Del Zotto in New York just to sit in the press box. Given that the Whale are off until Friday, perhaps he doesn’t play and gets in another practice or two with the parent club.

What this also means, given that Kris Newbury is still in NY is that captain Chris Drury will probably be a healthy scratch.

Of all the Whale players that have been called up, if Newbury can raise his level of play a bit, he could supplant Drury and stay as the forth line center at least for now.

Vinny Prospal is due back in the Rangers’ forward starting 12 Thursday against the New Jersey Devils and Eric Christensen a short time after that. If Newbury is playing strong hockey, he could potentially stay in the line-up.

This leads to the big question…do the Rangers make any moves at the trade deadline or do they stand pat given that so many guys are finally getting healthy and treat that as the adjustment to the roster?

I would not remotely be surprised to see a Christensen or one of the other guys moved for a prospect for Hartford or a draft pick.

The only other real movable parts at this point are Ruslan Fedotenko and Drury. Although Drury isn’t likely to go anywhere given the bloated contract, the lack of production and the fact that he has a no movement clause. Fedotenko is a John Tortorella favorite, so he isn’t likely going anywhere.

Here’s an interesting thought for you to evaluate.

If the Rangers went to Drury and said, “Dru, there’s no real room on the roster for you right now and we don’t foresee one for the rest of the season. Given your struggles and so on, we’d like to send you to Hartford to get your game back and then bring you back to New York next season.” Do you think that the ultimate team player that Drury is, do you think he might consider being sent to the Whale to see if he can recapture his game the rest of the season?

My guess is likely that he wouldn’t but you never know. Maybe he becomes like Chris Chelios did at the end of his career where he plays once in a blue moon.

If that’s the case do you think the Rangers buy him out and sacrifice some cap space? Will be interesting to see even if they can do that given Drury’s age.

Here’s the official release on Grachev:

NEW YORK RANGERS TRANSACTION UPDATE

New York, NY – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Evgeny Grachev has been assigned to the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Grachev, 20, has skated in eight games with the Rangers this season, making his NHL debut vs. Carolina on October 29.  He returns to Connecticut where he has registered 13 goals and six assists for 19 points, along with 12 penalty minutes and a plus-eight rating in 42 games this season.  He registered one goal in a 4-2 loss vs. Manchester on Friday, marking his fourth consecutive AHL game with a goal (seven goals) and fifth straight game with a point (seven goals, one assist) dating back to January 15 vs. Providence.  He is tied for second on the team in goals, while his plus-eight rating leads all team forwards and ranks second on the Whale.  He is also tied for fifth on the team with three power play goals.  Grachev registered his first professional hat trick in a 5-1 win at Springfield on January 22.

The Khabarovsk, Russia native was originally the Rangers’ third round selection, 75th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.